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Duggan Desperate To Return

Striker Toni Duggan admits that Everton Ladies cant wait to return to the field after the FA Womens Super League mid-season break.

Mo Marley’s side face Chelsea on Sunday 24 July, in their first game back after the Women’s World Cup.

The ladies last played on 12 May and Duggan says the long break has left the squad itching to get back out on the pitch.

She told evertonfc.com: “We’ve been waiting a long time; it feels like we’ve constantly been training, but the girls are really ready and looking forward to it.”

A 1-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers Belles in their last game before the break gave the Blues their first win of the season. Duggan admitted the squad were disappointed with the first half of their campaign but are looking to build on their victory and go into the Chelsea game full of confidence.

“We ended on a win and we’re hoping to pick up were we left off and get back up that table."

Rachel Brown, Jill Scott, Rachel Unitt and Fara Williams will return to training this week after representing England at the Women’s World Cup in Germany. And Duggan believes they have a lot to be proud of after England’s World Cup performance.

“I think the girls did great, especially the Everton girls, they all did us proud,” she added.

“We’ll welcome them back in. Obviously there was disappointment at the World Cup but they’ll bounce back from that.”

The 19-year-old says the ladies have been training hard throughout the break and that there is a good team spirit within the squad.

With the increased coverage of women’s football during the World Cup, the ladies team have been working hard off the pitch to promote the women’s game in Liverpool, and Duggan hopes their hard work in promoting the game will pay off.

“We’ve been posting leaflets out all over Liverpool so hopefully the message is getting across about how big the women’s game is going to be,” said the striker.

“Jody Handley is now organising the tickets, she’s had a lot of contacts and hopefully the fans will come to those first three games."

Everton are offering a four match ticket deal for the Ladies remaining home games. It is £10 for adults and £12 for an adult and a junior. Alternatively you can pay on the gate with prices being £3 for adults and £1 for juniors (under 16s).